Carolina Panthers sign veteran CB Charles Tillman to one-year deal

Cornerback Charles Tillman suffered a season-ending triceps injury in his final season with the Chicago Bears, and he will spend the next season with the Carolina Panthers after signing a one-year deal.

Tillman will be entering his 13th season in the NFL, and the Bears will be losing a key part of their defense, which has suffered for the past two seasons.

The 34-year-old cornerback has come up with 36 interceptions throughout his career, and he notched at least three in nine of his 13 seasons.

Tillman finally received recognition for his coverage skills in 2011 when he made his first Pro Bowl, and he returned there in 2012 after forcing 10 fumbles.

The Panthers were in need of an upgrade in their secondary, whose flaws were masked by the Panthers’ dominant defensive line and linebacker Luke Kuechly.

Tillman will bring veteran leadership and experience to a young Panthers pass defense, and his coverage skills will come in handy against NFC South wide receivers such as Julio Jones, Roddy White, Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson.